Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 19295, Nathaniel Foster, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Foster, Nathaniel
S. 19295
carded
CONTENTS

1606.
Massachusetts
Nathaniel Foster
of Boston in the State of Mass who was a Sergt 2 d in the Company commanded by Captain [blank] of the Regt commanded by Col Foster in the [blank] time for 1 Mo. 15 Days [blank] B " 14 " Private }
Date of death not on list JRE
Inscribed on the Roll of [blank] at the rate of 36 Dollars 53 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 th day of Nov P. 1832 and due Thos W Phillips Boston Mass
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $ 53.79 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Mar 33 18.26
$72.05
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H B Blair Clerk, Book D Vol. 2 nd Page 57.

Application of Nathaniel Foster
No. 3381

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Suffolk ss
On this eighth day of August, personally appeared in open court before the Municipal Court of the City of Boston, now sitting. Nathaniel Foster, a resident of Boston, in the county of Suffolk, and State of Massachusetts, aged twenty nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed Jan y 7 th 1832.
I Nathaniel Foster of Boston, in the county of Suffolk, and commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged twenty nine years, do testify and declare, that, on the 18 th day of July 1775, I voluntarily enlisted a private in a company commanded by the following Officers; — Charles Smith Captain, Daniel Giddings Lieutenant, — Joseph Dennis second Lieutenant, raised in the town of Ipswich, county of Essex, of which I was then an inhabitant, for the defence of the sea coast in the County of Essex: — That I performed the duties by said enlistment required, to the first day of November following when, with rest of the company, was regularly discharged, verbally on parade, no written discharges being given. —
The service required and performed was, guarding the seacoast, and principally the mouth of Ipswich river, against the depredations of the British small craft, often hovering near the coast. — From their usual station, the company was once detached a few weeks, to strengthen the force stationed at at Gloucester, to defend its harbour and coast in said County, during the unloading and removing the cargo of a very valuable Ordnance transport, sent into said port a prize by Commodore Hardy. After this service, the company returned to its former station, where it continued till it was discharged, as stated above. —
And I further declare — That, in the year 1776, I voluntarily enlisted as a Sergeant in the company commanded by the following Officers; — Daniel Giddings Captain, Ebenezer Low Lieutenant, — Jeremiah Foster second Lieutenant, — in Colonel Joseph Foster's Regiment of seacoast forces, stationed at Gloucester, for the purpose of guarding the harbour and coast, at that period much exposed to the enemy's cruizers: — That I performed the duties of a Sergeant in said company during the several periods specified in Secretary Bangs's certificate, accompanying this declaration, which was made from the original Rolls of said company deposited in his Office; at the termination of latest of which periods I, with the rest of the company, was regularly, though verbally, discharged; — and then I finished my last military campaign. — Capt n Smith's company, in which I served 1775, was not connected with any Regiment, — and was subject only to the civil authority of the State. —
In Col n Foster's Regiment were four companies; — the first commanded by Capt n Daniel Warner, who, when occasion required, performed the duty of Major; — The second commanded by Capt n W m Pierson; the third by Capt n Daniel Giddings; — the fourth by Capt n — Lane. I believe the above numerical arrangement is correct, — but, being from memory, after the lapse of more than half a century century, it perhaps may be inaccurate. — Every commissioned Officer enumerated above, it is believed, is dead, — most of them, many years since, Capt n W m Pierson I believe was the latest survivor, who died a few years since at an advanced age.

The whole time I have said, Nathaniel Foster served in the revolutionary War, agreeable to foregoing declaration & the accompanying certificate of the hon ble Secretary of State for Massachusetts.  As a private in Capt. Smith's company from the first eighteenth of July to the first of November 1775. . . . . Months days 3 " 15  As a Sergeant in Capt. Gilding's company in Col. Foster's Regiment, from the first of June to the thirty first of August 1776. . . . . 3 " 0  Between the last of February & the last day of May 1776 - See W th Secretary of Bangor's Certificate. . . . . 1 " 27  From the first of September to the eighteenth of November 1776. . . . . 2 " 18  Total. . . . . 11 Months 15 days
I was born in Ipswich aforesaid in November 1753 but I have no written records of my birth - Since the revolutionary war I have lived in Boston. Unit I further declare that my name is not on the pension Roll of any of the agencies of any State. And that I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present.  Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid, in open court before me Peter A. Thacher, Judge  Nath l . Foster
And Pastor of the Boston Society of the New Jerusalem  We, Thomas Worcester a clergyman residing in the city of Boston, & James H. Foster, also residing in the city of Boston, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Mr. Nathaniel Foster, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age; and he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day & year aforesaid, in open court, before me  Thomas Worcester James H. Foster  Peter A. Thacher, Judge
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states, after having put the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, the answers to which are embodied in the foregoing declaration - And the Court further certify that it appears to them that Rev d . Thomas Worcester, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman and that James H. Foster, who has also signed the same, are resident in Boston aforesaid, are both credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Peter A. Thacher, Judge of the Municipal Court

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, July 13. 1832
I hereby Certify, that, upon an examination of the Military Papers relating to the Revolutionary War, which remain in this Department, I find the name of Nathaniel Foster down on the following Rolls — viz —
On a Roll of "Capt. Charles Smith's Company raised in the town of Ipswich for the defence of the Seacoast in the County of Essex"; & is therein stated to have served as a private from July 18. 1775 to Nov. 1. 1775, & his accounts are made up on said Roll at £6, 16. 3.
Also on a Roll of the Company of Seacoast Force commanded by Capt. Daniel Giddings in Col. Foster's Regiment stationed at Gloucester, from the last day of Feb. and is therein stated to have served in the capacity of Serjeant, with the monthly pay of £2. 4. — from June. 1. to Aug. 31. 1776.
Also on a Roll of the same Company, in the same service, and same capacity and wages; for 1 month & 27

days (particular time of enlistment not stated) between the last day of February and the last day of May 1776.
Also on a Roll of the same Company, in the same service and capacity and with the same wages, from Sept 1. 1776 to Nov. 18. 1776.
Edward Dangs. Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk p
I, Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston, a Court of Records legally established in this Commonwealth, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Nathaniel Foster for a pension; that the Honorable Peter O. Thacher is sole Judge of said Court and that his name affixed to these papers are his genuine signatures —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court at said Boston this Eighth day of August A.D. Eighteen hundred thirty two —
Thomas W. Phillips, Clerk. —

3387
Nath Foster
M. E.
7 Mo 15 Days Supt 3 " 14 " Pmsh
admitted
$36.53.
Thos. W. Phillips Esq. Boston Mass

3381
BRIEF in the case of Nathl Foster of Doston in the State of Mass (Act 7 June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? _____  3. How old is he? 79  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     20 Aug '75 to 1 Nov. '75 _____ 3 14 private Genl. Smith - * guarding sea coast -   1776 1 June to 31 Augt - * _____ 3 _____ Sergeant Capt D. Giddings - Col. Foster -   Between last Feb to last May '76 _____ 1 27 do do do   from 1 Sept to 18 Nov - 76 _____ 2 18 do do do    * Not connected with any regt.
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Yorick 
 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By Copy from Original rolls of Company  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
The pibn doer not pass under Seal
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. C. Easton Examining Clerk.
also refers for the periods to Mr. Secretary Bang's Certificate (from original rolls of Company) which accompanies the declaration

May 3, 1934.
Elsie Holway Burleigh Waterville Maine.
BA-J/ILL Nathaniel Foster S. 19295
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Nathaniel Foster who served from Ipswich, Massachusetts, in that war.
The record of Nathaniel Foster is given herein as shown in the papers on file in his claim for pension, S. 19295. It is the record of the only soldier with that name who served from Ipswich, Massachusetts, in the Revolutionary War found on the records of this office.
Nathaniel Foster was born in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts, in November 1752; the names of his parents are not shown.
While a resident of Ipswich Massachusetts, he enlisted July 18, 1775 and served as private in Captain Charles Smith's company, raised in Ipswich, until November 1, 1775, engaged in the defense of the sea coast; he enlisted the last of February 1776, served as sergeant in Captain Daniel Giddings' company, Colonel Joseph Foster's Massachusetts regiment on three tours, amounting in all to seven months and fifteen days, and was discharged November 18, 1776. No relationship between said Nathaniel Foster and Colonel Joseph Foster was stated.
After the Revolutionary War, the soldier resided in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 8, 1832, at which time he resided in Boston, Massachusetts.
One James H. Foster was a resident of Boston, Massachusetts, at the time the soldier applied for pension, no relationship between them shown. There is no reference to a wife of Nathaniel Foster in this pension claim.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Assistant to Administrator.

3381
Nath Foster

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Nathaniel Foster which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? _____ IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?  Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  _____
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?  _____
XIV. †If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?  _____
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?  _____
XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?  Yes  _____
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.”

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
† QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
‡ QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

ELSIA HOLWAY BURLEIGH REGENT SILENCE HOWARD HAYDEN CHAPTER WATERVILLE, MAINE
April 18, 1934
Pension Dept. Washington D.C.
Dear Sirs -
only Mrs.
Can you give me the birth and death dates of Nathaniel Foster, Revolutionary soldier, who was born in Woolwich, Maine but served from Ipswich, Mass. Feb. 17, 1778 for town of Ipswich. Can you also furnish his complete war record? Did his widow, Bridget, receive any pension?
I find Continental Army pay accounts for service from Apr. 30, 1777 to Dec. 21, 1779. Is that correct?
Thanking your dept. for the information expected, I am, Sincerely yours, Elsia Holway Burleigh.

19295 INVALID.
1934 - May 3 - Hist. to Eliza H. Burleigh. J.L.L.
File No. 19295
William Foster
Sergt Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index: — Vol. 2 , Page 140
[Arrangement of 1870.]